CPD framework
The Continuing Professional Development framework ensures real estate salespersons have the skillsets and critical competencies to carry out their duties effectively.
Last updated 21 August 2025
The Council for Estate Agencies’ (CEA) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework ensures real estate salespersons (RESs) have the skillsets and critical competencies to carry out their duties effectively. The CPD framework also equips RESs with essential knowledge and skills to thrive in the digital environment. It guides RESs using a structured approach to develop deeper technical knowledge for various property market segments.
The current CPD framework is a key initiative of the Real Estate Industry Transformation Map. CEA and the real estate agency industry jointly developed this CPD framework, which took effect from 1 October 2019.
CPD framework competencies
The CPD framework divides courses into two competency types:
Professional Competencies, which help RESs develop and deepen their knowledge in real estate agency work. These courses fall into three categories: laws and regulations, property markets, and other real estate knowledge
Generic Competencies, which contribute to RESs’ personal development and enhance their soft skills. These courses cover 16 Critical Core Skills across three clusters, including digital fluency, communication, and people development
Under the current CPD framework, key executive officers (KEOs) and RESs must attain a minimum of six CPD credits per CPD cycle, out of which four CPD credits must be from Professional Competency courses and two CPD credits from Generic Competency courses.
Note:
CPD credits are granted by:
CEA for Professional Competency courses
KEOs for Generic Competency courses
You can refer to CEA's CPD Guidelines (PDF, 500KB) and the following table for more details on the new CPD framework:
Professional Competencies | Generic Competencies | ||
Laws and Regulations | Property Markets | Other Related Real Estate Knowledge | 16 Critical Core Skills (Updated) |
|
|
| (As defined under the SkillsFuture Singapore's list of Critical Core Skills) Thinking Critically
Interacting with Others
Staying Relevant
|
CPD guidelines for estate agents and salespersons
KEOs are to ensure that their RESs comply with the CPD requirements. KEOs will also need to assess the relevance of activities undertaken by their RESs and approve CPD courses under Generic Competencies.
Responsibilities of KEOs
KEOs must:
Inform their RESs that they need to attain a minimum of six CPD credits per CPD cycle, which must comprise four CPD credits from Professional Competencies courses and two CPD credits from Generic Competencies courses
Inform their RESs that courses related to Professional Competencies must be approved by CEA before they can be recognised
Assess and approve the number of CPD credits for Generic Competencies courses using CEA's guidelines and submit the necessary information in CEA's My CPD Portal. CEA will conduct random audit checks on estate agents (EAs) to ensure compliance with the CPD framework.
CPD cycle
The CPD cycle runs annually from 1 October to 30 September of the following year (e.g., the 2024 CPD cycle runs from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024).
New RESs are exempted from fulfilling their CPD requirement in their first CPD cycle but must comply from their second cycle onwards.
KEOs, Practising Directors/ Partners, and RESs who wish to return to the real estate agency industry after leaving must fulfil the following requirements:
KEOs, Practising Directors/ Partners, and RESs who have: | CPD / Examination Requirements |
Left the industry for up to two years | Required to fulfil the same number of CPD credits as if they did not leave the industry before applying for registration. |
Left the industry for more than two years | Required to pass the RES or REA examination, where applicable |
For more information, you can view the CEA CPD Guidelines (PDF, 834KB) or find out how to use the My CPD Portal.